Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips

November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know?
-Cancer accounts for nearly 50% of all disease-related pet deaths each year
-One in four dogs die of cancer.
-Approximately 1 in 4 dogs develops a tumor of some kind during his lifetime.
-Just like in humans, cancer can occur in any part of your dog’s body.

Are you aware that November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month? Run your hands over your pet and feel for any unusual lumps or bumps. If you feel something new or unusual, let's take a look at it. Dogs and cats can get benign lumps such as lipomas and sebaceous cysts, but they can also get much more serious tumors, like mast cell tumors, melanomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and many others. Many of these can be diagnosed with a simple in-office procedure involving a needle aspirate and then a microscopic exam of the cells obtained. A fine needle aspirate is generally less painful than a vaccination, so don't hesitate to get that lump checked out. The importance of annual check-ups regardless of the age of your pet is critical in the prevention of cancer. 

Here are the top 10 early warning signs of pet cancer listed out by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

1. Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
2. Sores that do not heal
3. Weight loss
4. Loss of appetite
5. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
6. Offensive odor
7. Difficulty eating or swallowing
8. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
9. Persistent lameness or stiffness
10. Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating

Better to be safe than sorry, and much better to catch something sooner rather than later!

November Pet of the Month

Our November Pet of the Month is Luther! Luther is a 5 year Himalayan who was adopted by Dr. Ross three years ago. His original owners couldn't keep him after their child became allergic to him. He's a typical cat who loves spending time with Dr. Ross more than anyone else. Luther used to sleep on the bed, but now he spends his entire night sleeping in the baby's swing!

Senior Pet Month

November is Senior Pet Month. Do you have an older cat or dog sharing your home? If so, you know the joys of pets who might have less spunk but more soul. Here are five reasons to love a senior pet.
1. Distinguished look
You know how as we age, we are said to look distinguished? The same is true for our pets. I think senior cats project an air of peaceful dignity. And who can resist the precious gray muzzle of an older dog?
2. Laid-back lifestyle
For kittens and puppies, most any time is play time. Older pets, however, don’t need to release all that youthful energy. They are quieter and often content to just watch what’s going on in the living room or outside the window. Cuddling next to you takes precedence over most anything else.
3. Fewer demands
Older pets still need love and attention, but they don’t require babysitting like a frisky puppy or curious kitten. Some older pets have special medical needs, but after all they’ve given us through the years, it’s an honor to take care of them in return.
4. Wisdom of the ages
When I look into the eyes of a senior dog, I see a world of experience and wisdom. Older pets know what to expect, and are generally reliable and even. They require little training since they already know the rules.
5. They might be just like you!
As we get older, our needs and routines change. We might prefer quiet evenings at home rather than going out on the weekends. We still like to exercise, walk, or even run—but sometimes we go at a different pace. We might even nap in our chair occasionally. If you have a senior dog, you might find that he’s just like you!

Leptospirosis

We found it particularly appropriate to discuss this disease because of the recent weather we have been experiencing over the past few months. The hurricane in particular, adds a different dimension to an increasing risk of Leptospirosis exposure. Interestingly enough, Leptospirosis is the most wide spread disease in the world, affecting all continents. When we came across another positive patient, we knew it was time to inform our public.

So what is Leptospirosis? Well...now that you've asked, it is...

A bacterial infection (Leptospira) contracted from contaminated water sources, i.e.: stagnant ponds, canals, lakes, streams. Primary carriers of the bacteria are raccoons, squirrels, opossums, deer, and foxes. The bacteria are picked up through mucous membranes from the urine of infected animals. Dogs can walk in water, drink it, and lick it off their feet. This disease is Zoonotic and is transmissable to humans. The disease primarily affects the kidneys but can also affect the liver. Symptoms include anorexia, lethargy, vomiting, jaundice, fever, increased drinking and urinating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Due to our record setting rain amounts, plenty of areas are inundated with exposure possibilities. This exposure could be puddles, in pots, streams, and ponds. It does not take much for our dogs to become exposed. Exposure is currently high and we want to make sure that our community is knowledgeable.

We were lucky enough to catch this positive patient early, before any major damage could be done. It just so happens that the disease was caught by accident. We found some irregular parameters in our normal, yearly preventative blood profile. Upon further investigation, we discovered the disease. Because of the nature of the Leptospirosis, the patient could have shown little or no symptoms until further along in the disease progression, resulting in severe damage to the kidneys, liver, and the possible transmission to the owners.

Our vaccines are very safe and contain the strains of Leptospirosis we see in New Jersey. Like most vaccines, if starting out, we could give one vaccine and then repeat in 3 to 4 weeks. After the initial 2 vaccines, it becomes a yearly vaccine. Please be sure to speak to your veterinarian on the increased risk and any concerns you may have surrounding the disease.

Pet of the Month-DUNKIN

Dunkin is our Pet of the Month! Dunkin is 5 years old and was found abandoned in his carrier at a Dunkin Donuts parking lot, hence the name Dunkin. He was brought to Princeton Animal Hospital and we were able to get him to a great recovery. He loves to sit outside on 'his' chair and take in the sunshine. He is very food motivated for a cat and is a great addition to the family that adopted him.

 

This playful pooch can't figure out why this person won't throw the stick